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New life for song dubbed ‘viral hit of WWI’

Associated Press
9:44 a.m. EDT August 10, 2014

The Military Wives choir along with other SSAFA beneficiaries brave the rain during a launch event for their new recording of 'Pack Up Your Troubles', proceeds of which will benefit charitable organisation SSAFA, at South Bank, London, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014. (AP Photo/Jonathan Brady, PA Wire) UNITED KINGDOM OUT - NO SALES - NO ARCHIVES(Photo: Jonathan Brady, AP)

LONDON – Veterans, military families and serving soldiers have taken to the choir stands for a new recording of a hit World War I marching song to mark 100 years since the start of the conflict.

A British military charity has recorded a new video of “Pack Up Your Troubles,” a popular music-hall style tune used to boost morale among troops and on the home front a century ago.

Aubrey Powell, the grandson of co-composer George Powell, described the song as “the viral hit of WWI.”

Rachel Smith, one of the musical directors involved in the project, said the song’s simple melody and lyrics gave it its enduring appeal, and is still relevant today because it “makes us think a little more about what people were going through.”